Megacamelus
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| Megacamelus Temporal range: Miocene–Pliocene | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Artiodactyla |
| Suborder: | Tylopoda |
| Family: | Camelidae |
| Genus: | †Megacamelus Frick (1929) |
| Species | |
| |
Megacamelus is an extinct genus of terrestrial herbivore in the family Camelidae, endemic to North America from the Miocene through Pliocene 10.3—4.9 mya, existing for approximately 5.4 million years.[1]
This was the largest species of camelid to roam the Earth.
Taxonomy
Megacamelus was named by Frick (1929). It was assigned to Camelidae by Frick (1929) and Honey et al. (1998).[2]
Morphology
Four specimens were examined for estimated body mass by M. Mendoza, C. M. Janis, and P. Palmqvist. These specimens were estimated to weigh:
- 3,695.7 kg (8,100 lb)
- 3,059.8 kg (6,700 lb)
- 2,246.8 kg (5,000 lb)
- 1,747.9 kg (3,900 lb) [3]
Fossil distribution
Fossils have been found from Nebraska to Idaho to Southern California.
References
- ↑ PaleoBiology Database: Megacamelus, basic info
- ↑ J. G. Honey, J. A. Harrison, D. R. Prothero and M. S. Stevens. 1998. Camelidae. In C. M. Janis, K. M. Scott, and L. L. Jacobs (eds.), Evolution of Tertiary Mammals of North America 1:439-462
- ↑ M. Mendoza, C. M. Janis, and P. Palmqvist. 2006. Estimating the body mass of extinct ungulates: a study on the use of multiple regression. Journal of Zoology 270(1):90-101
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